Ardo CSR rapport 2024 - Flipbook - Page 44
We are Ardo
The path to a more
sustainable food system
Minimal environmental
impact
Agronomy
MIMOSA+
Food safety, quality
and innovation
Respect for
our employees
Relationship with
our stakeholders
5 Plant nutrition – Reducing fertilisation
The use of nitrogen-based fertilisers in agriculture is associated with various
environmental issues, including greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation
and water pollution. Following our MIMOSA+ principles, we assist our
farmers in optimising crop yields and product quality while minimising the
use of mineral fertilisers.
Plant life and growth is based on the availability
At Ardo, over half of our growing area is
of 14 elements, including nitrogen, potassium,
dedicated to peas, beans, and soybeans.
phosphate and many more. To optimise plant
These leguminous crops are considered
growth, we need to find a good balance between
environmentally friendly for several reasons.
these nutrients. However, the needs for these
Leguminous reduce the risk of excess nitrogen
elements vary in time. Therefore, the challenge of
polluting the soil and groundwater. They
fertilisation is to coordinate nutrient availability
require little or no nitrogen-based fertiliser,
with plant needs. Soil mineralisation is especially
indirectly impacting our CO2eq emissions, as
difficult to predict and influenced by many
the production of such fertilisers relies heavily
factors (organic matter content, pH, type of soil,
on fossil energy. Additionally, the nitrogen-fixing
humidity, etc.).
bacteria in the root nodules of these crops
Our agronomist explains the importance of plant
nutrients during our Let's Meet in the Field event
allow them to convert atmospheric nitrogen into
Conducting regular soil analyses and adapting
ammonia. It nourishes the plant and, in turn,
fertilisation based on the nutrients already
enriches the soil with nitrogen for subsequent
available in the soil, can help optimise plant
crops.
growth and avoid unnecessary nutrient supply
caused by uncoordinated fertilisation.
Fe
Ca
B
Ni
P
Ultimately, it is our ambition to reduce the use of
S
Zn
Mo
N
fertiliser on all our crops to minimise the carbon
impact while still maximising crop yields.
Mg
Cl
Cu
44
K
Mn
The balance between nutrients is
essential for optimal growth
Sustainability
statements
